EL CENTRO — For Central’s final non-conference match-up, before resuming IVL play, the Spartans welcomed Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista in a grid-iron clash that fell well in favor of the visitors as the Crusaders cruised to a 35-0 bully-ball blank over the home-team at Cal Jones Field Friday, September 30.
Central started off on the wrong side of the bed from the opening kickoff when a special teams miscue resulted in a five-yard penalty and re-kick. Proceeding a boot-bounce attempt that sailed for only 22 yards, the visitors’ offense stepped out to a short field for their opening drive from scrimmage.
Mater Dei started the motor with a play-action pass up the middle for a first down that moved the chains into Spartan territory.
On the ensuing play the Crusaders utilized a draw play versus Central’s four-man front. The rush attempt caught the Spartans on their heels when Central’s line-backer blitz was picked. Mater Dei’s running back crossed the goal line from 42 yards out which gave the visitors a 7-0 lead minutes into the contest.
Central fed off a short pass and opponent offsides flag, for a second and short situation at the 34 yard-line. The Spartans took a chance on a perceived hot-read that was sniffed out by the Crusader secondary and intercepted in Spartan territory.
Mater Dei capitalized on the turnover after a seven-play sequence that encompassed 60 yards and was capped off with a 23-yard touchdown pass. The Crusaders pulled ahead 14-0 after an extra point with 6:09 still to go in the first quarter.
The Spartan defense buckled down, but the offense struggled to threaten as only one more score was conceded by either side through out the remainder of the first half.
Mater Dei went up 21-0 with 1:58 to go before halftime on sweep-toss rushing score from the 46 yard-line. The Crusader running back straddled the sideline all the way to pay dirt. The scoreboard read 21-0 visitors at intermission.
In the second half, the Crusaders broke out the gadget plays which assisted in keep the Spartans defense on their toes. At the 7:57 mark in the third quarter, Mater Dei utilized a flea-licker pass reception from the 50 yard-line which penetrated deep into Spartan territory. On second and 10 from the 15 yard-line, Mater Dei ran a direct snap option and barred into the end zone for their fourth score of the night.
Central found themselves in a 28-0 hole after the Crusader’s extra point.
The Spartan’s offensive woes remained irreparable. The same was not so for the visitors as Mater Dei ran up one more touchdown rush on the last tick of the third quarter.
No more scores were tallied through the rest of the contest. The Crusaders casually finished off the nigh with a 35-0 road win.
With the loss, Central’s overall record drops to 3-3. They do, however, enjoy a first place in IVL standing at 1-0.
At 1-0 in IVL action, after polishing off Southwest a week prior, the Spartans will delve back into league trenches versus, Johnny Mo’s’ dubbed ‘City That Shows No Pity’, Calexico in the south end, Thursday, October 10.
Sports Editor and News Reporter
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